Memphis State University - DeSoto Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

Page 23 text:

of pool after class refreshes the mind before evening study time sets in. On the other hand, busi- ness isn ' t exactly booming. The care and maintenance of the video machines is handled by an outside company, determined by bid. Therefore, Memphis State only receives a per- centage of the profit from the games. The university does earn enough from the game room to meet the budget, main- tain the equipment and stay out of the red; but they are not clearing thousands of dollars, by any means. In the past there has been whispered talk of al- tering the game room in some way. For example, thought went into increas- ing the size of the book- store, where profits are much higher, while re- ducing the size of the Side Pocket to accommodate the need for space. Evidently, this theory and others like it have been put to rest for the moment. After all, what would a stu- dent center be without a place for students to have fun? So, to the relief of many leisure-lovers, the size and state of their den will re- main unchanged. In addition to being a place to play games for fun, the university game room houses many special events. The management often works closely with the Student Activities Council recreation committee to coordinate tournaments throughout the year for the amateur pool, ping-pong and foosball players on campus. The Side Pocket and SAC recreation committee also occasionally sponsor pro- fessional exhibitions. In How ' bout the side pocket? Michelle Beaudette shows her accuracy at the game of pool. She and many other daily pool players enjoy the lower fees available to stu- dents due to the fact that the Side Pocket is university- owned and operated. Serge Samaha Is it real? Rob Parr is a prime ex ample of what happens to a video junkie. Rob, and almost a 1,000 other stu- dents, use the Side Pocket daily as an escape from the reality of the hectic school year. DevinGreaney January, internationally famous pocket billiard and trick show artist Jack White performed two shows at the Side Pocket while many fans and bystanders looked on to learn a few secrets and tricks of the trade. The Side Pocket, while providing an outlet for that college stress, is one of many places on campus in which students hang out. However, in this one, life is no more than fun and games. ■ Melynda Howell Whew, he almost got me! Ask any video player, they definitely take their game seri- ously. Jimmy Guier puts a huge amount of concentration, and probably quar- ters, into beating the machine. Devin Greaney 19 gameroom

Page 22 text:

Playing Games Sometimes a college student needs to forget the books and relax T h he Side Pocket. The name suggests a room of pool tables, beer buddies and dart boards. Close. Really it ' s the university game room, where hun- dreds of students vent frus- tration, make conversation and simply relax each day. Whether students play table tennis, air hockey or foosball (table soccer), a willing opponent is usually nearby. Pool skills can al- ways be sharpened, and learning a few moves never hurt anyone. Three pinball machines provide a blast from the past, while many quarter-eating video mon- sters line the walls. This popular hangout provides refuge for ap- Operation Wolf is a very popular game among many of the students who frequent the Side Pocket. Eric Beaupre shows that a steady hand and a sharp eye will master any game. Devin Greaney proximately 800 to 1,300 college students per day. Located on the first floor across from the bookstore in the University Center, the Side Pocket is both owned and operated by the university. This, to the de- light of many cue-holders, enables the cost of playing games to be considerably lower than what is paid off- campus. Is the business profitable to this, university? Yes and no. It is, in the sense that students benefit from hav- ing a place to socialize. For many, shooting a few games « ' tales of tigers

Page 24 text:

Good Morning, Memphis State f a f e 20 WSMS-FM 92, the campus radio station, provides a unique form of music to Memphis listeners Jtvadio. Almost all of us listen to it. From rock to pop, classical to contempo- rary, we all have our per- sonal preferences. Jazz has been one long time favorite that has just re- cently reached the student crowd. The university picked up on this fact and has used it to create a radio station for jazz lovers. WSMS-FM 92 is a 250- watt station, which first came on the air in August of 1979. The station broad- casts with a radius of at least seven miles. General manager Bob McDowell says they try to run the station as professionally as possible. The station is run just like a commercial station in that we have a formatted program, says McDowell. And even though educational sta- tions can legally sign off during Christmas and summer breaks, we stay on the air 365 days a year, from 6 a.m. to midnight. The station ' s format was to be composed of jazz music because of the lack of one in Memphis. The basic charge of an educa- tales of tigers tional station is to provide coverage of something not already covered, says McDowell. We met the need for this music which sud- denly was becoming very popular. The station ' s staff is com- posed of nearly 40 people, mostly student volunteers. Almost all of these students are broadcasting majors who are getting valuable hands on experience. The station uses very current, state-of-the-art equipment which includes a rather large collection of compact discs. McDowell says, The station is a learning lab for them [the students]. Any student interested in broad- casting should not pass up the opportunities offered at Memphis State. Many local broadcasters started ca- reers at WSMS, including Harold Grater of Channel 5, Lisa Hatchett-Spencer of WRVR, and Glen Carver of Channel 3. In addition to profes- sional broadcasters, McDowell says that 92 FM has helped boost the careers of many local musicians. We do what we can to pro- mote local talent as much as possiblef One good example is Memphian Kirk Waylum. We also broadcast one live hour of jazz from the roof of the Peabody every Tues- day night, from 11 p.m. to midnight. McDowell says that the station often invites musicians on both the local and national levels to take part in an on-the-air inter- view. So far we ' ve been able to attract names like Freddie Hubbard and Najee. WSMS has other weekly